sensory organ - nose (sense of smell)

Our second sensory organ to explore is the nose, which is very connected to our sense of taste. We began this study of our sense of smell by asking questions we want to know about the nose. The 5th grade class has generated many questions about the nose and our sense of smell. As we find the answers to these questions they will be posted here and in the classroom.

Exploration/Lab We Did In Class: Exploring with Smell and Taste WorksheetStation 1 - Compare the smell of “strawberries”What did we do: With your eyes closed, have your partner put either the strawberry-scented wax under your nose, then the real strawberries. Can you tell the difference? What were the differences? What were the similarities?

Result: We could easily tell the difference between real strawberries and a fake strawberry smell.Conclusion: Our nose is very savvy about recognizing odors

Station 2 - Compare the taste of potato versus apple with your eyes closed and your nose pinched.What did we do: Close your eyes and pinch your nose. Breath in and out gently three times through your mouth. Have your partner put either the potato or apple in your mouth, then the other. Can you tell the difference? What were the differences? What were the similarities?

Result: Most of us could tell the difference, but usually only after the food had been in our mouth a while. Conclusion: Our sense of smell helps us to identify the taste of food.

Station 3 - Can smell interfere with taste?What did we do - Have your partner put a piece of grape, apple or potato in your mouth while holding an “interfering” scent near your nose. Can you identify the food in your mouth? Did the taste of the food change?

Result: We were surprised at how the smell and flavor of food mixed and interfered with each other.Conclusion: Our sense of smell can interfere and enhance our sense of taste. Our sense of smell and our sense of influence each other.

Amazing Facts About Your Nose and Sense of Smell:

The nose has special cells which help us smell.

The technical term for sense of smell is ‘olfaction’.

Your nose can help detect dangerous chemicals in the air.

The human nose can smell many different odors but is far less sensitive than other animals such as dogs.

The human nose has 2 nostrils.

The 2 nostrils are divided by the nasal septum.

The nasal septum is made up mostly of cartilage, a tissue that is stiffer than muscle but more flexible than bone.

Found at the roof of the nose, the ethmoid bone separates the nasal cavity and brain.

The ethmoid bone is also one of the bones that make up the orbit of the human eye.

The nasal cavity is a large space found inside the head, above and behind the nose.

Air passing through the nasal cavity is warmed to match body temperature (or cooled if it is very hot).

Dust and other particles are removed in the nasal cavity by short hairs.

The floor of the nasal cavity is also the roof of the mouth.

‘Anosmia’ is the inability to smell.

‘Dysosmia’ is when things don’t smell as they should.

‘Hyperosmia’ is having a very strong sense of smell.

On average, men have larger noses than women.

It is traditional for Maori people in New Zealand to press noses (hongi) as a greeting.

Your Questions Answered1. Why do we have boogers?Snot is also made of tiny particles that are in the air we breathe like germs, dust and pollen. When air debris gets trapped in your tiny little nose hairs, it mixes with snot or mucus and from there, can become a booger.http://www.boogiewipes.com/booger-facts/

2. Why does your nose get redThe nose turns bright red for several reasons. It may be due to strong emotions, high fever or certain medications. Temperature changes may also cause a red nose.

3. Why does your nose run?The nose can run when you have a cold, when you go out into cold temperatures or when you have allergies. In any case, your body is producing mucous to help you out. If you have a cold or allergies, the mucous flushes out the germs or stuff you're allergic to. If it's cold out, the mucous is one way to keep that nasal cavity warm and humid and help out the Nasal Turbinates.http://kidshealth.org/kid/talk/qa/nose_run.html

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